PIA Press ReleaseTuesday, January 31, 2012

DA plans to use Mindanao program in Luzon

by Mai Gevera-Macapagat

DAVAO CITY, Jan 31. PIA –- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now planning to replicate the certain components of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) in Central Luzon after receiving favorable feedback from the local government units covered in the program as well as a favorable assessment from the World Bank.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, during his visit in the city Monday, bared that the agency is now working together with the World Bank team in preparing for a feasibility study on how to replicate certain features of the MRDP which could be of use in other programs of the department.

“In particular we would like to ensure that the lessons on National Government-LGU engagement are shared with the new program,” said Alcala.

World Bank representative Carolina Figueroa-Geron said that the plans of replicating MRDP is possible given that the DA will have to work it out and bring the decentralization model to other parts of the country.

“MRDP 1 and 2 are very good examples that have happened in Mindanao and could also be utilized in other LGUs,” Geron said.

MRDP promotes national government and local government cooperation by way of cost-sharing in agricultural projects proposed by the people in the community.

The entire project has a total of $123.57 million; $83.75 million of which is sourced from the World Bank loan portfolio plus the equity of the national government and local government units.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario who is also the President of the Federation of Governors in Mindanao expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to LGUs in Mindanao.

The official asked Alcala to continue this kind of model in Mindanao while the agency is considering for the replication of such in Central Luzon.

“We ask them to continue helping Mindanao for it is during the present administration that we got a substantive share in the national budget, del Rosario said.

Alcala confirmed the statement of Del Rosario saying that Mindanao got 40 percent of the total agriculture budget. (PIA/Mai Gevera-Macapagat)